Detonating device for projectiles



R. KERR.

DETONATING DEVICE FOR PROJECTILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1a. 918.

g a 25 5 Q Patented Feb. 24,1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD KERR, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

DETONATING DEVICE FOR PROJECTILES.

Application filed March 13, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD KERR, subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster and Kingdom of England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Detonating Devices for Projectiles, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved detonating device applicable to projectiles of all kinds, but particularly applicable to shells projected from guns.

The object of the present invention is to provide a detonating device which will operate on the impact of the projectile on water.

The present invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one form of the device.

Fig. 2 is a front view.

A shell 1 of any desired form has a nose or cap member formed as a separate part 10,

in screwed engagement with the spindle 11, t

which spindle 11 is connected to a piston 12 in a cylinder 13 inclosing the spring 14: forcing the spindle 11 outward. The spindle 11 is extended in the form of a striking pin 15 operating the detonator 16. The piston 12 has an abutment 18 upon it which is adapted to operate against an abutment on the inside of the cylinder 13, to assist in the shock or blow of the part 10.

When the shell is fired a sudden motion of rotation will be given to the whole shell and as the part 11 is relatively free from the main body of the shell 1 the latter would rotate relatively to the piston 12 until the stop 22 on the cylinder 13 met the abutment 18 giving it a Very sharp blow due to the inertia of rotation of the main body of the shell even although this is only for a little less than a revolution. This will loosen the part 10 on the spindle 11, which spindle will thereafter rotate with the main body of the shell.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

Serial No. 223,165.

The rapid twisting of the shell about its axis due to th rifling of the gun-barrel will however cause the nose-piece 10 to unwind itself along the threading on the spindle 11 and so bring said nose-piece up to the end of the spindle 11, its motion being limited by a conical stop 17 on the end of this spindle. In this position this spindle 11 can be forced inward to operate the detonator, but previous to firing it obviously will be locked against any possible accidental compression of the spring 14: whereby the detonator 16 could be operated.

The nose piece 10 can be provided with circular ribs 19, which will particularly assist in the unwinding of the nose 10 relatively to the shell 1 to set the striking pin in condition ready for operation.

The percussion cap 16 or the like may cooperate with a time-fuse of any desired form inserted in the tube 21.

I declare that what I claim is 1. A projectile comprising a body, a fuse in said body, a cap, a threaded spindle carrying said cap, a mutilated piston on said spindle, a cylinder in said body inclosing said piston, an abutment within said cylin- .der cooperating with said mutilation on the piston to prevent rotation of the spindle relatively to the cylinder and the cap on firing.

2. A projectile comprising a body, a fuse in said body, a cap having depressions on its surface, a threaded spindle carrying said cap, a inutllated piston on said splndle, a

, cylinder in said body inclosing said piston,

an abutment within said cylinder cooperating with said mutilation on the piston to prevent rotation of the spindle relatively to the cylinder and the cap on firing.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this 19th day of February 1918, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD KERR. Witnesses G. C. DYMoND, JOHN MGLACHLAN. 

